Fifth-wheel



Patented Jan. 3|, I899. E. D. EASTMAN.

FIFTH WHEEL (Applicat 8,)

ion filed Sept. 28, 189

(u Model.)

' INVENTOR [lame WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATENT CEETEE.

EDGAR DIMOND EASTMAN, OF CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE.

FIFTH-WHEEL.

SPECIFICA TION forming part of Letters Patent No. 618,649, dated January31, 1899.

Application filed September 28, 1898. Serial No. 692,091. (No model.)

To aZZ whom, it may cmwern:

Be it known that I, EDGAR DIMOND EAST- MAN, a resident of Vest Concord,in the county of Merrimac and State of New Hampshire, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Fifth-WVheels and I do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertainsto make and use the same.

My invention relates to an improvement in fifth-wheels for vehicles, theobject of the invention being to provide a fifth-wheel which will permitof the easy turning of a vehicle, one that will be practicallynoiseless, and so construct same as to exclude dust and dirt therefrom.

A further object is to so construct a fifthwheel as to effectually guardagainst the accidental displacement of the parts thereof.

A further object is to provide a fifth-wheel which will be simple inconstruction, neat in appearance, and strong and durable when in use.

With these objects in view the invention consists in certain novelfeatures of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, aswill be more fully hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of myimproved device, and Figs. 2 and 3 are views in section of the same.

1 represents the lower plate, which is provided on its lower face withparallel flanges 2 for the reception therebetween of the axle (notshown) of a vehicle. of the lower plate 1 is curved in the arc of acircle and the inner end of said lower plate is preferably contractedand extends rearward the desired distance. The upper face of thecontracted rear end of the plate 1 is provided with a circularenlargement 4:, in which a hole or opening 5 is provided for the passageof the pin 13, whereby to pivotally connect said lower plate with theupper plate or member 6.

The upper face of the plate or member 1 where it comes in contact withthe upper plate 6 is preferably flat and smooth, and the lower plate atthis point is preferably thicker than the contracted portion thereof towith therein.

The outer edge 3 stand the wear incident to its constant contact withthe upper plate.

The upper plate 6 is rounded or curved in the are of a circle at itsouter end similar to the curve of the outer edge of the lower plate 1,and said curved or rounded edge of the upper plate or member is providedthroughout its entire length with a downwardly and inwardly projectinglip 7, whereby to inclose the edge of the lower plate 1 and exclude dustand dirt from between the plates and avoid any possibility of accidentaldisplacement of said plates or members. The upper plate 6 is providedwith rearwardly-extendiug diverging arms or reach-plates S, which areflanged on their upper faces at their outer edges, as shown at 9. A webor brace 10 connects the reach-plates 8 and has its ends merged intosaid reach-plates. The lower face of said web or brace 10 is providedwith recessed enlargement 11, which forms a bearing or socket for thereception of the circular enlargement A and permits same to be turnedAhole or opening 12 is provided in the web or brace 10 in alinement withthe hole 5 in the portion 4 of the lower plate for the passage of thepin 13, said pin being provided at one end with a head and at its otherend with a nut 14. The lower face of the upper plate 6 Where it comes incontact with the lower plate is smooth and is provided in its centerwith a socket 14 for the reception of an elastic device 15such, forinstance, as rubber block or a springand a metal block 16 is disposed insaid socket and by the elas ticity of the rubber block 15 is heldagainst the upper face of the lower plate, and hence prevents anytendency of the device to rattle.

The upper face of the upper plate 6 may be provided with any approvedblock or support 17, to which any approved vehicle-spring may be securedfor supporting the Vehicle, the use of the headblock heretofore employedbeing thus avoided.

Various slight changes might-be resorted to in the general form andarrangement of the several parts described without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention, and hence I would have it understoodthat I do not wish to limit myself to the precise details set forth, butconsider myself at liberty to make such slight changes and alterationsas fairly fall within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a fifth-Wheel, the combination of a lower plate, an upper platehaving a socket in its lower face and means in said socket adapted tobear with yielding pressure against the lower plate and means forpivotally c011- necting said upper and lower plates.

2. The combination with a lower plate, and an upper plate having asocket therein, of a block disposed in said socket and an elasticmaterial in said socket adapted to force said block in contact with thelower plate.

3. The combination with the two members of a fifth-wheel, havingparallel wearingfaces, one of said members having a socket coincidentwith the wearing-face, of a block in said socket and an elastic devicein said socket behind the block whereby to press the latter against thewearing-face of the other member, substantially as set forth.

4. A fifth-wheel comprising two members having flat cooperatingwearing-faces, one member adapted for the reception of an axle and theother member adapted for the direct attachment thereto of avehicle-spring, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence oftwo subscribing witnesses.

EDGAR DIMOND EASTMAN.

\Vitnesses:

HENRY I-I. CHASE, JAMES H. MoRRIs.

